
Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Munro Turuttu, Kerala, India
1. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
A renowned tiger reserve nestled amidst the verdant hills of Thekkady. Boat rides offer close encounters with elephants and other wildlife.
- Unique Flora & Fauna: Home to diverse flora including teak, sandalwood and bamboo, and a rich fauna including the Bengal tiger and Asian elephant.
- Eco-Friendly Initiatives: Sustainable tourism practices that prioritize conservation and minimize human impact on the environment.
- Boat Safaris: Offers unique opportunities to spot wildlife from a boat in the lake, particularly elephants and sambar deer.
2. Eravikulam National Park
A pristine Himalayan-like alpine hill station, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and Neelakurinji bloom once every 12 years.
- Neelakurinji Bloom: Rare event where the hills turn blue with the Neelakurinji flower bloom, lasting only a few weeks.
- Endangered Nilgiri Tahr: Provides refuge for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, one of the rarest mountain goats in the world.
- High-Altitude Hiking Trails: Offers challenging and scenic high-altitude hiking trails for adventure seekers.
3. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
A paradise for birdwatchers with over 500 species of resident and migratory birds.
- Rich Avian Biodiversity: Boasts an impressive array of avian life including the rare Siberian stork, egret, heron, and waterfowl.
- Backwaters Cruises: Offers serene backwaters cruises that provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching.
- Mangrove Forests: Inhabits a rich mangrove forest ecosystem teeming with diverse wildlife.
4. Kannan Devan Hills Reserve Forest
A scenic reserve forest offering treks through tea gardens and the chance to spot elephants and other wildlife.
- Tea Gardens Trek: Offers guided treks through the picturesque tea estates, providing stunning views of the surrounding hills.
- Wildlife Spotting: Provides opportunities to spot elephants, sambar deer, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
- Ecotourism Activities: Promotes ecotourism activities that prioritize conservation and local culture.
5. Mundanthuruthi Elephant Training Centre
A unique center for training and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants in Kerala.
- Elephant Rehabilitation: Provides care, protection, and rehabilitation for orphaned and injured elephants.
- Interactive Sessions: Offers interactive sessions where visitors can learn about the training process of elephants.
- Conservation Awareness: Raises awareness about the importance of conservation and coexistence with elephants.
6. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
A scenic wildlife sanctuary located at the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, home to the Giant Grizzled Squirrel and Indian Rock Lizard.
- Rare & Endemic Species: Hosts several rare and endemic species such as the Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Indian Rock Lizard, and Striped Hyena.
- Scenic Hill Ranges: Offers breathtaking views of scenic hill ranges, valleys, and streams.
- Trekking Opportunities: Provides challenging trekking opportunities through the dense forests and rocky terrain.
7. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
A haven for birdwatchers with over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Malabar Grey Hornbill.
- Rich Avian Biodiversity: Boasts an impressive array of avian life including the rare Malabar Grey Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmouth, and Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon.
- Guided Tours: Offers guided tours led by experienced birdwatchers who can help identify various species.
- Eco-Friendly Practices: Promotes eco-friendly practices and minimizes human impact on the environment.
8. Silent Valley National Park
A pristine rainforest, home to several endangered species such as the Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Thar.
- Pristine Rainforest: One of the last undisturbed rainforests in India, providing a unique ecosystem for diverse wildlife.
- Endangered Species: Home to several endangered species including the Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Thar, and Bengal Tiger.
- Guided Jungle Treks: Offers guided jungle treks that provide opportunities to spot these endangered species in their natural habitat.
9. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
A scenic wildlife sanctuary with a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the Nilgiri Tahr and Elephant.
- Diverse Flora & Fauna: Boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, Asian Elephant, and Lion-tailed Macaque.
- Scenic Hill Ranges: Offers stunning views of scenic hill ranges and valleys.
- Trekking Opportunities: Provides trekking opportunities through the dense forests and rocky terrain.
10. Pambadum Sholai Grasslands
A unique grassland ecosystem, home to several endangered species such as the Nilgiri Tahr and Grizzled Giant Squirrel.
- Endangered Species: Home to several endangered species including the Nilgiri Tahr, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, and Striped Hyena.
- Scenic Grasslands: Offers breathtaking views of scenic grasslands and rolling hills.
- Guided Tours: Provides guided tours that offer opportunities to spot these endangered species in their natural habitat.
11. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
A sprawling wildlife sanctuary with a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the Asian Elephant and Bengal Tiger.
- Diverse Flora & Fauna: Boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including the Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, and Lion-tailed Macaque.
- Scenic Hill Ranges: Offers stunning views of scenic hill ranges and valleys.
- Guided Jungle Treks: Provides guided jungle treks that provide opportunities to spot these diverse species in their natural habitat.
12. Tholpetty Wildlife Range
A part of the Nagarhole National Park, known for its high elephant population and rich biodiversity.
- High Elephant Population: Known for its high elephant population and offers excellent opportunities to spot these gentle giants.
- Rich Biodiversity: Boasts a rich biodiversity with several endangered species including the Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, and Asiatic Wild Dog.
- Guided Safaris: Provides guided safaris that offer opportunities to spot these diverse species in their natural habitat.
13. Kumarakom Snake Park
A reptile park dedicated to the conservation and study of snakes, featuring a variety of native and exotic species.
- Conservation & Study: Dedicated to the conservation and study of snakes, offering visitors insights into these fascinating creatures.
- Native & Exotic Species: Features a variety of native and exotic snake species including the King Cobra, Indian Rock Python, and Krait.
- Interactive Sessions: Offers interactive sessions where visitors can learn about snakes, their behavior, and importance in the ecosystem.
14. Thusharagiri Waterfalls
A scenic waterfall located near Kozhikode, offering opportunities for trekking and wildlife spotting.
- Scenic Waterfalls: Offers breathtaking views of the picturesque Thusharagiri waterfall.
- Trekking Opportunities: Provides challenging trekking opportunities through the surrounding hills and forests.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot several species of birds, including the Great Hornbill, and small mammals such as the Malabar Squirrel.
15. Bharatpur Cliff
A scenic cliff located near Kochi, offering opportunities for birdwatching and rock climbing.
- Scenic Cliffs & Sea Views: Offers breathtaking views of the scenic cliffs and the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea.
- Birdwatching Opportunities: Provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching, with several species of migratory birds visiting during winter.
- Rock Climbing: Offers challenging rock climbing opportunities for adventure seekers.